The first to cross the finish line in the first Pottstown Half Marathon race on July 11, 2015, was Thomas Kehl.
Digital First Media File Photo

POTTSTOWN >> Runners will once again get their shot at glory as the Third Annual Pottstown Half Marathon hosted by The Sly Fox Track Club returns to the borough Saturday.

The 13-mile race starts at 7 a.m., beginning and ending at the Sly Fox Brewery in Pottstown. The address is 331 Circle of Progress Drive. The race route forms a large loop around the borough, but is a new route from previous years. Runners will pass notable Pottstown locations like The Hill School and a section of the race runs parallel to the Schuylkill River.

Race director Chris Bayless said there are currently more than 400 people registered including runners representing 28 states from all over the country.

The race has been chosen to be the Road Runners Club of America Pennsylvania Championship race as it has been in previous years. Winners of the race will be crowned Pennsylvania state champions at the half marathon distance. According to the club’s website, rrca.org, “The RRCA champions the development of community-based running clubs and events that serve runners of all ages and abilities in pursuit of health and competition.

More than 70 volunteers have already signed up to assist in the event, from cleaning up the race course to distributing food and drinks to the runners. There will also be dozens of police officers, firefighters, and hired security personnel to make sure the event goes off without a hitch. Bayless said that they could always use more help.

“It takes a lot of help,” he said. “It brings a community together. We’re expecting families and friends to come out and show support.”

The event has garnered many sponsors, including Gatorade, The Pottstown Memorial Medical Center and the YMCA. Bayless also said there are many local businesses from the Pottstown area chipping in.

A race expo and bib pickup for registered runners will be held at the Sly Fox Brewery on Friday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. People interested in registering for the race can download an application at www.slyfoxtrackclub.com/the-pottstown-half-marathon/. The fee at this time is $80 for any and all applicants.